Chapter 65: Apologies for not posting for like 2 weeks… had exams and papers and IRL stuff…

Though I’ll start posting regularly from now, and I will tell you in advance in case I need to take short (or long) breaks…

Anyway, Enjoy!

The Elves’ Village

Two days later, thanks to Haku’s almost uninterrupted running, Shion had succeeded in entering the Stride Forest.

Due to its vastness and the fact that it is easy to get lost, first-timers will not be able to reach the village of the elves.

But this is a place Shion visited several times in the past, so he didn’t get lost.

While moving, Shion and Haku always paid attention to their surroundings in case of enemies ambushed them.

The forest is quite conspicuous when it comes to human presence, but …… there is still no sign of anyone.

‘We kept finding the same scenery… is this the right way?’

“Yep. We should be in the village soon. There it is”

After passing through a row of large trees, they came to several houses in the back. When they reached the village, Haku was relieved to finally be able to rest after all the running.

On the contrary, it was the elves in the house that heightened the tension. Mistaking Haku for a monster that had come to attack the village, some of them fired arrows at him.

CHOMP!

Haku bites the arrow that flew towards him, and when the situation got calmer Shion raised his hands to show them that they mean no harm.

“It’s me. Please don’t attack”

“Oh, it’s you Axe?! Why’re you here?”

“No time to talk. Listen, the Rebel group and an evil organization from another country are targeting this village!”

It should be disturbing information, but the elves are not surprised at all. This reaction convinced Shion that they had already been attacked.

The elves from the elder’s house came out one after another, and when they found Zion, they ran at a short distance. The village chief, whose gait was strong for his age, was thrilled to see Zion and spoke.

“Oooh, I never thought I’d see you again while I’m still alive……! Good to see you again!”

“It’s been a long time, too. It’s a pleasure to see you again, but I have a question I’d like to ask you first”

“Umu. I also have something to talk to you, Mister Axe”

What the elders told him was consistent with what Shion had feared. When he announced that he would lend his strength, for this reason, all the elves, not just the elders, were excited.

“But I’m glad the elder hasn’t forgotten my face”

The elves rarely left the forest, so Shion had never hidden his face from them in the past. But it had been more than five years since he had last visited.

“How could I forget? If it weren’t for Axe-sama, we’d be at war with the humans right now”

In the past, there was an incident where one of the country’s powerful nobles fell in love with an elf he met by chance in the forest and tried to make her his bride by force. He even sends in a lot of soldiers which caused troubles in the village.

In the end, the King got involved and it almost turned into a big battle.

Originally, elves tended to dislike humans and retreated deep into the forest because they didn’t want to come into contact with them. Marriage was out of the question.

Everyone was prepared for the inevitable clash, but it was Shion who managed to strike a good balance and bring about a settlement.

After devising a plan and successfully solving the case to the satisfaction of both parties, he becomes the only human trusted by the elves in this village.

“By the way… that monster of yours…”

‘Ah! It’s time for me to talk right?’

The awkwardness …… when there is a complete outsider at a reunion after a long time. Haku had tasted it with his whole body.

Who’s this guy? Their eyes are asking such questions while staring at Haku, which made him uncomfortable.

‘My name is Haku. I’m Shion’s——’

“EVERYONE!! HEAR ME OUT!!!!”

Haku’s eyebrows frowned as his self-introduction was interrupted by a girl dashing as fast as she could from the entrance of the village.

As soon as he saw the girl - Lunally - the elder diverted his attention to her.

“Stop! Don’t come any closer!”

“What? Why?”

The elder suspects that Lunally is a different person, and he does not want her to carelessly approach the others. The elder sharpens his eyes and asks questions in an intimidating manner.

“I imposed a rule not to go out of the village. Why did you break it? Answer me”

“I didn’t break it, Elder! I was kidnapped while I was at home. I mean, what’s with the big fox?”

“Kidnapped… Then by any chance… Are you the real one?”

“Yes, that’s right… But that fox…”

‘Sorry for the late intro, my name is Haku’

“What the…!? That’s the breathing rhythm of the elves! Don’t tell me…”

‘I’m Shion-san’s familiar’

“As I thought, my intuition didn’t become dull”

When it was no longer clear who was trying to make a point because the three of them were talking too freely, Lunally happily called out Shion’s name.

“HUAAAAAAAA———!? Why is Shion!?”

With zero caution, she jumped into Shion’s chest and Lunally just hugged her and didn’t leave. She wanted to rub her cheek affectionately, but she was not tall enough, so she only buried her face in his chest.

“I didn’t know you were here! I don’t know what happened, but I love you so I’m glad to see you again!”

“Yo… You’ve grown up a lot, have you? Took me a while to realize you’re Lunally”

Elves are long-lived and their appearance deteriorates very slowly, but until they are about 20 years old, they grow in the same manner as humans.

From that point on, they age many times slower, though they are admired by human women.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Shion used to play with the children of this village and conduct light combat training. This was an opportunity for him to be adored.

“How are your friends? I’d like to see Kuna and Punini”

Shion said the name of a duo that left a particularly strong impression on him. Immediately, Lunally jumps back as if remembers something important.